The Balochistan government has decided to expand specialist, diagnostic and critical-care services at the GDA Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, according to officials.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan on July 27 to review the hospital’s existing services, funding requirements and expansion plans.

Officials called for early action to purchase and install an MRI scanner and to expand dialysis, intensive-care, neonatal, emergency, surgical and laboratory facilities.

The plan also covers additional incubators for newborn babies and stronger specialist services in ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat care, and cardiology, Gwadar Pro reported on Tuesday.

The meeting agreed that steps should be taken to secure the release of outstanding funds so that the planned work could proceed. The amount involved and a timetable for procurement or completion were not disclosed.

Khan said the hospital had become an important healthcare centre for residents of Gwadar and the wider Makran region, providing treatment without charge.

He said the availability of more services locally had reduced the need for some patients to travel to Karachi, Quetta and other cities for treatment.

The chief secretary directed the relevant departments to arrange the required equipment, staff and funding and to improve the hospital’s capacity to provide timely care.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China